OPT: Report No 30 - Implementation of the agreement on movement and access, 27 Dec 2006 - 9 Jan 2007

The United Nations is submitting the 30th bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA), covering the period 27 December 2006 - 9 January 2007 inclusive.

1. Overall Progress:

The only significant change in the operations of the crossing points during this reporting period was at Rafah which was open for almost half the scheduled hours. This is the most Rafah has been

operational in a period since 25 June 2006.

The AMA target for the number of truckloads of goods exported through Karni was set at 400 per day by the end of 2006. The current average number is 42 (11%).

2. Changes of note since Report No 30 (9 January):

- Rafah crossing was open on 9 days allowing a total of 8,182 people to cross into the Gaza Strip and 6,309 people out, priority being given to Hajj pilgrims. Rafah was open for 49% of scheduled hours compared to 32% during the previous period.

- Karni crossing was open on all 11 scheduled operating days enabling a total of 1,891 truckloads of goods into (a 15% decrease on period 29) and 469 truckloads of goods out (a 4% increase) of the Gaza Strip. In addition 1,732 truckloads of aggregates were imported3. Karni was open for 49% of scheduled hours compared to 38% during the previous period.

- Sufa crossing was open on 9 of 12 scheduled working days for the transport of aggregates.

- Kerem Shalom crossing closed throughout the period.

- Erez crossing remains closed to all Palestinians except traders holding special permits and emergency humanitarian cases. An average of 168 traders are crossing Erez each day, down from 188 last period.

- Obstacles to movement in the West Bank increased from 527 to 528. This represents an increase of 165 or 40% over the baseline figure of August 2005.

- There was 1 reported security incident during the period when, on 2 January, Palestinian militants fired mortar shells at Karni crossing, according to Israeli media reports.

3. No Change since Report No 30 (9 January):

Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank:

Truck convoys no discussion; implementation now 13 months overdue.

Bus convoys no discussion; implementation now 14 months overdue.

Ports:

Seaport awaiting, since November 2005, GoI assurance to donors that it will not

interfere with its operation.

Airport awaiting, since November 2005, commencement of discussions.